
Live in a spirit of gratitude and repayment
These days, the colors and scents of Vu Lan season are spreading in every temple, creating a solemn and warm atmosphere. In Hanoi , Phuc Khanh Pagoda is one of the gathering places for many monks, nuns, Buddhists and people to come to worship Buddha and pray for peace.
Among the crowd, Buddhist Nguyen Thi Man (76 years old) from Khuong Dinh ward (Hanoi) emotionally shared: “I have attended the Vu Lan ceremony at Phuc Khanh pagoda for many years, but every year I feel moved. This is not only an occasion to remember the merits of my parents but also to remind myself to live better, do good deeds to show gratitude to my parents when they are still alive. For an elderly person like me, sitting at the Buddha's door, listening to the bells and the chants on this day is truly a great comfort.”
The Vu Lan atmosphere is also covering Quan Su Pagoda, this is a large Buddhist center of the country. Not only the elderly come back to the season of filial piety, many young people also consider this a special occasion to express their gratitude. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, 30 years old, from Vinh Hung ward (Hanoi) said that in the past few years, every year on Vu Lan festival, she comes to Quan Su Pagoda to pray for peace. "The atmosphere is solemn but still close, making me feel relieved and peaceful. Coming here, I can listen to the sutras and listen to the monks teach about filial piety. Vu Lan festival reminds me to care for and love my parents more."

More than 100 kilometers from the capital, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ninh Binh province is also filled with a solemn atmosphere on Vu Lan day. The Vu Lan ceremony here takes place with many solemn rituals such as chanting sutras, releasing flower lanterns, and offering incense to commemorate the merits of parents and heroic martyrs.
In addition, many provinces and cities across the country such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Quang Ninh ... also simultaneously organized Vu Lan Festival programs with many rich activities: Buddhist teachings, Buddhist arts, rose pinning ceremony, releasing flower lanterns to pray for the souls of heroic martyrs and pray for national peace and prosperity...
Filial piety lights up people's hearts
This year's Vu Lan Festival takes place in the context of the whole country celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day, September 2, further highlighting the spirit of gratitude not only to parents and grandparents but also to those who sacrificed for the Fatherland.
In particular, many pagodas cooperate with local authorities to organize activities to care for meritorious people, policy families, and support people in difficult circumstances. Charity gift giving and scholarship programs for poor students are included in this occasion, demonstrating the spirit of "good life, good religion" that Buddhism always aims for.

Venerable Thich Minh Duc (Phuc Khanh Pagoda) shared that every year on Vu Lan festival, Buddhist disciples show their gratitude to their ancestors, grandparents, and parents, preserving the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source; when eating fruit, remember the person who planted the tree".
According to Venerable Thich Minh Duc, the Vu Lan Festival in 2025 coincides with the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2, which multiplies the joy of Buddhists. According to Venerable Thich Minh Duc, this is a special time for every Buddhist to practice filial piety, honoring the tradition of "remembering the source of water when drinking". Following the Buddha's example, taking filial piety as the fundamental virtue, "filial piety is the Buddha's mind", these days Buddhists not only remember their ancestors, grandparents, parents but also pray for the heroic martyrs, compatriots and all living beings. Buddhists are reminded to live a "good life, good religion", following the motto "Dharma - Nation - Socialism", aiming for the values of truth, goodness and beauty in life.
Thus, it can be seen that in modern life, Vu Lan festival is not only a Buddhist ritual but also becomes a cultural beauty, reminding people to live compassionately and gratefully. The spirit of filial piety and gratitude is expressed not only through prayers at the Buddha's door, but also through practical actions of caring for relatives and sharing with the community.
According to cultural researcher Minh Dao - Hong Chau Cultural Heritage Association (Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association), the Buddhist Vu Lan festival has long been integrated into the spiritual life of Vietnamese people, associated with the tradition of filial piety, the morality of "remembering the source of drinking water" and the custom of worshiping the full moon of the seventh lunar month. This is an opportunity for each child to practice filial piety towards their parents and grandparents, and at the same time remember and show gratitude to their ancestors, predecessors, national heroes and heroic martyrs. According to him, integrated into Vietnamese culture, Vu Lan has become a major festival, considered as the "filial piety" of the nation. The spirit of Vu Lan exists in every home, in the community lifestyle and in the orientation of preserving social ethics.
Researcher Minh Dao also noted that when participating in the Vu Lan ceremony, people should avoid superstition and taking advantage of beliefs for personal gain. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain solemnity and respect, so that the holiday season truly becomes a time to spread good values.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ron-rang-khong-khi-le-vu-lan-post881443.html
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